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The Ventura County Pirates clashed with the Santa Barbara Foresters, a strong team from the prestigious California Collegiate League, at Pershing Park on Friday, June 23rd at 6 pm. This game carried a significant context as the Pirates won their only meeting last year, defeating the Foresters 5-4 on the Fourth of July.
Unfortunately, the Pirates couldn't replicate their previous success, as the Foresters dominated the game, resulting in a final score of 11-4 in favor of the home team. The Pirates' pitching struggles paired with multiple defensive lapses led to their defeat.
Despite the loss from the Ventura County Pirates, several notable performances marked the game. Jackson Benattar, the Pirates' left fielder, showcased his exceptional speed and ability to get on base, contributing two hits and two runs scored. He also stole a base, establishing his influence on the game. Dan Laughery contributed an extremely timely hit, resulting in two RBIs. Sean Mann continued to wow spectators with a two-run homer over the left field wall highlighting his powerful batting skills. Mann and Laughery combined for all the Pirate RBI's with their two hits.
Noteworthy game highlights included Sean Mann's pivotal moment in the 5th inning. With the Pirates trailing 1-0, Mann stepped up to the plate and launched a towering two-run home run, giving the Pirates a temporary lead. This is Mann's fourth home run of the season. In the 7th inning, Dan Laughery's hard-hit ground ball to left field resulted in a single, bringing in two runs and further extending the Pirates' advantage to 4-2.
Pitching proved to be challenging for the Pirates. Their bullpen struggled, allowing 11 runs, 8 earned, and 9 hits. The pitching performance faltered in the 7th and 8th innings, where the Pirates surrendered 9 runs. These problems on the mound ultimately contributed to their defeat.
The Pirates faced difficulties on the defensive end as well, committing three crucial errors that led to the Foresters capitalizing on scoring opportunities. In contrast, the Foresters displayed solid defense, avoiding errors throughout the game.
The game's flow started slowly, favoring the Pirates in the early innings. The Foresters broke the deadlock in the 3rd inning, scoring one run through a sacrifice fly. However, the Pirates responded swiftly with Sean Mann's two-run home run in the 5th, giving them a 2-1 lead. The game remained tied at 2-2 until the 7th inning when Dan Laughery's two-RBI single provided the Pirates with a 4-2 lead. Unfortunately, the tide turned against the Pirates as they surrendered 5 runs in the 7th and 4 more in the 8th, sealing their defeat. The Pirates failed to score after Laughery's hit, and their subpar pitching and defensive errors proved costly.
Following the game, the Pirates' record stands at 11-3, marking a minor setback in their otherwise successful season. Looking ahead, the Pirates will face the Arroyo Seco Sentinels on Monday, June 26th, at 1 pm at Brookside Park in Pasadena.
Stay tuned for more thrilling matchups and exciting performances from the Ventura County Pirates.
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